Dear Monty: Homebuyer questions the value of a home inspection

Tuesday

Jun 13, 2017 at 9:32 AMJun 13, 2017 at 9:32 AM

Richard Montgomery More Content Now

Reader Question: We are going to be buying another home soon. In the house we sold, the buyer’s inspector missed some items of which we were unaware. It created a few problems after they moved in, but we worked with them, and all turned out well. He also suggested the buyer bring in contractors on a couple of different items. We think that this time around we will skip the home inspection and arrange for the component inspection points by a contractor that handles the particular part. For example, a plumber, heating and air-conditioning company, etcetera. Is this a good idea?

Monty’s Answer: Every home has its history and circumstances. The answer to your question requires a qualification to suggest there is a “not-one-answer-fits-all” component. Generally speaking, a home inspection of some sort is a smart move when you are investing 6-digit amounts of money. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), the largest of several home inspection trade associations, there are near 5 million home inspectors in the country, and a significant percentage of all home purchases today include a home inspection. ASHI also reports the vast majority of consumers that bought a home inspection felt they received a good value.

The human condition plays a roleIn the above-described setting, those 5 million inspectors do not have the same motivation, training, and observation skills. Further, their inspection protocols, presentation, and integrity levels are also different. The home inspection service becomes more complicated with the expectations of the homebuyer and home seller. For these reasons, understanding what a home inspection is, and is not, and qualifying the home inspector by checking out several of them will make a difference in the outcome. Here is an article at Here is an article at https://dearmonty.com/home-inspections/ that explains an inspection.

Examining the alternativeFor a homebuyer who instead chooses to hire an expert for individual components of the home, the effort involved increases exponentially. Vetting the candidates, coordinating the appointments, attending each inspection, and collecting and reviewing a written report a dozen times takes time. On top of the time, each of the companies has an inherent conflict of interest. One of the significant differences in comparing contractors with home inspectors is the home inspector is “independent.”

Consider how many components there are in a home and what the contractors will charge for their inspection. Here is a list of the major items: Lot grade, foundation, structure, HVAC, roof, siding, electrical, plumbing, appliances, pest control, and environmental. While the cost of these inspections will vary from market to market, let us assume $75 each for discussion purposes, which totals $825. Contractors will make mistakes and miss concealed flaws, too. And contractors have not undergone the same type of training as an inspector. Would the customer get a better product? Maybe. Maybe-not.

Market considerationsFurther, what will be the home seller’s reaction when you are negotiating the actual purchase of the home? Coordinating one home inspection is not always easy, let alone many. It is not out of the realm of possibilities that many home sellers and real estate agents would push back on multiple inspections. If there are multiple offers on a home, asking for multiple inspections could even eliminate your offer from consideration.

Good contractors are busy. When scheduling their workday, they may see a $75, out of the ordinary inspection (this is not the same as a homeowner seeking a quote) as a low priority task for someone they don’t know.

The observation that “the inspector suggested the buyer bring in contractors” raises the question, “Why pay for an inspection only to be told to get more inspections?” The purpose of the home inspection is to dis­cover and disclose the condition of the principal struc­tural and mechanical components of the home. Because this is a visual examination, an inspec­tion does have limitations. If the inspector observes something, like an odor, discoloration, an out-of-place sound, a worn or bent part, or other clues, they will recommend further investigation by a trained professional. Calling for the specialist is a sign the inspection process is working.

The reality of the home inspection is that it provides a deliverable (the inspection report) on short notice to the customer with a review of the condition of a home as of a specified date and at a reasonable cost. It helps the client determine if their valuation of the property is fair.

— Richard Montgomery gives no nonsense real estate advice to readers most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.